Device charging system

ABSTRACT

A portable device charging unit includes a battery, a base supporting the battery and including an inductive charging surface, and at least one retainer for selectively securing an electronic device in engagement against the inductive charging surface. In addition, a system may be provided for storing and dispensing one or more device charging units.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/879,271, filed May 20, 2020, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/850,284, filed May 20, 2019.The entire contents of these applications are incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device charging system, including aportable device charging unit and a storage station.

SUMMARY

In one independent aspect, a portable device charging unit includes abattery, a base supporting the battery and including an inductivecharging surface, and at least one retainer for selectively securing anelectronic device in engagement against the inductive charging surface.

In some aspects, the retainer includes an arm that is movable between anextended position and a retracted position, the arm being configured toretain the electronic device while in the extended position.

In some aspects, the arm includes a first portion and a second portion,the first portion being extendable and retractable relative to the base,the second portion being extendable and retractable relative to thefirst portion.

In some aspects, the arm is slidable relative to the base.

In some aspects, the retainer includes an arm positioned adjacent anedge of the base portion, the arm biased to engage the electronic deviceand retain the electronic device relative to the inductive chargingsurface.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a resilient member that iscapable of accommodating electronic devices of various sizes and shapes.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a receptacle formed from aresilient material, the receptacle configured to receive a portion ofthe electronic device.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a band formed from a resilientmaterial, the band extending across a corner of the charging surface.

In some aspects, the retainer includes an arm positioned adjacent anedge of the base portion and configured to engage an edge of theelectronic device, the arm biased toward a retracted position.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a clamp arm.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a reusable adhesive surfacepositioned adjacent the inductive charging surface.

In another independent aspect, a system is provided for storing anddispensing charging units for portable electronic devices. The systemincludes: at least one portable charging unit and a terminal. Thecharging unit includes a body and a battery supported on the body, andthe charging unit is configured to engage an electronic device andprovide electrical current to the electronic device. The terminalincludes a receptacle for storing the at least one portable chargingunit, and the terminal is configured to provide electrical current tothe battery.

In some aspects, the terminal is configured to inhibit removal of thecharging unit until a predetermined condition has been satisfied.

In some aspects, the predetermined condition includes completion of afinancial transaction.

In some aspects, the receptacle includes multiple slots, each slotconfigured to receive one of the charging units.

In some aspects, the charging unit body includes an inductive chargingsurface, and at least one retainer for selectively securing theelectronic device in engagement against the inductive charging surface.

In some aspects, the retainer includes an arm that is movable between anextended position and a retracted position, the arm configured to engageand retain the electronic device.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a receptacle formed from aresilient material, the receptacle configured to receive a portion ofthe electronic device.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a band formed from a resilientmaterial, the band extending across a corner of the charging surface.

In some aspects, the retainer includes a reusable adhesive surfacepositioned adjacent the inductive charging surface.

Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a docking station.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the docking station of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device charger with retention arms inretracted positions.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the device charger of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the device charger of FIG. 3 with retentionarms in extended positions.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the device charger of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a device charger according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electronic device coupled to thedevice charger of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the device charger according to anotherembodiment, with a retention arm in an extended position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device charger of FIG. 9 , with theretention arm in a retracted position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a device charger according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electronic device coupled to thedevice charger of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a device charger according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an electronic device coupled to thedevice charger of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an electronic device coupled to adevice charger according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an electronic device coupled to adevice charger according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the following drawings. Thedisclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or ofbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including”and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as usedherein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms“mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a docking station 10 for storing and dispensingcharging units. In the illustrated embodiment, the docking station 10stores multiple inductive charging units that can be dispensed to one ormore users. In some embodiments, the charging units can be rented for aperiod of time, can be provided free of charge, or can be purchased(e.g., in the event the charging unit is not returned to the dockingstation). In some embodiments, the docking station 10 includes hardwareand software providing communication with mobile devices (e.g.,smartphones). For example, a customer may purchase or “check out” acharging unit, and in response the docking station 10 may unlock acharging unit and make it available to the customer. In someembodiments, the station 10 includes multiple slots or receptacles 14,and a charging unit may be stored in each of the receptacles 14. In someembodiments, the charging unit may be charged by the station 10 whilestored on the station 10. The station 10 may authorize a charging unitto be removed from its associated receptacle 14 after a predeterminedevent (e.g., payment of a fee).

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an example of a device charging unit 30. In theillustrated embodiment, the charging unit 30 includes a battery pack 32(FIG. 3 ) supported (e.g., enclosed) in a housing, and an inductivecharging surface 34. The charging unit 30 further includes retainers 42(FIGS. 5 and 6 ) for securing an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone14— FIG. 8 ) against the inductive charging surface 34. In theillustrated embodiment, the charging unit 30 also includes an indicator38 (e.g., a light) to notify a user of the remaining charge on thecharging unit's battery pack 32. In addition, in the illustratedembodiment the charging unit 30 includes one or more charging ports 40(e.g., a USB-C port). The charging port 40 can be coupled to a powersource to re-charge the charging unit battery pack and/or provide anauxiliary connection for a user to charge an electronic device. In otherembodiments, the charging unit 30 may include one or more cords andconnectors either in addition to or instead of the charging port 40.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the retainers 42 include one or moreprojections 46 positioned adjacent a lower end of the charging unit 30,and a pair of arms 50. Each arm 50 is positioned adjacent a side of thecharging unit. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm 50 includes afirst portion 54 and a second portion 58. The first portion 54 isextendable and retractable in a lateral direction (e.g., parallel to aplane of the charging surface 34), while the second portion 58 iscoupled to the first portion 54 and is extendable and retractable in anormal direction (e.g., perpendicular to a plane of the charging surface34). The arm portions 54, 58 can be extended so that the arms 50 engageand retain the electronic device 14, and can be retracted to provide aslimmer profile for storage. The arms 50 may be biased by, for example,a spring (not shown) or another suitable mechanism.

In other embodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 7 and 8 , thecharging unit 30 can include clamp arms 50 and a single elongatedprojection 46 to engage the electronic device 14. The clamp arms 50 aresubstantially fixed but may be moved elastically to position theelectronic device 14 between the clamp arms 50 and the charging surface34. In some embodiments, the electronic device 14 may be positioned inthe charging unit 30 by sliding the electronic device from one end ofthe charging unit toward the end having the projection 46.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a charging unit 230 according to anotherembodiment. Rather than arms positioned adjacent the sides, the chargingunit 230 includes retainers positioned adjacent the ends of the unit230. In the illustrated embodiment, a clamp or arm 250 is positionedadjacent one end of the unit 230, and an extendable/retractableprojection 246 is positioned adjacent an opposite end of the unit 230.The projection 246 includes a wedge surface to engage an end of theelectronic device 14, and the projection 246 is biased (e.g., by aspring) toward a retracted position to bias the electronic device intoengagement with the fixed arm 250.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a charging unit 430 according to anotherembodiment. The charging unit 430 includes a pair of retainers 442, eachof which is positioned adjacent an opposite end of the unit 430 from theother. Each retainer 442 is formed as a resilient band or receptacle andis capable of stretching to accommodate devices of various sizes. In theillustrated embodiment, each retainer 442 is formed as a member having aclosed end. Each retainer 442 may include a lip or tab 448 that can begripped by a user to facilitate inserting a portion of the electronicdevice 14 into the retainer 442 or removing the electronic device fromthe retainer 442.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a charging unit 630 according to anotherembodiment. The charging unit 630 includes a retaining surface 644positioned adjacent an inductive charging surface 634. In theillustrated embodiment, the retaining surface 644 extends around anouter peripheral portion of the charging surface 634. The retainingsurface 644 includes a reusable adhesive that is capable of sticking toa surface of an electronic device 14. Electronic devices can be adheredto and removed from retaining surface 644 many times.

FIG. 15 illustrates a charging unit 830 according to another embodiment.The charging unit 830 includes a clamp retainer 842 positioned adjacentone side of the unit 830. In the illustrated embodiment, the clampretainer 842 is biased toward an inductive charging surface to retain anelectronic device, but the clamp retainer 842 can be actuated or pivotedto an open position in order to permit an electronic device to bepositioned between the clamp retainer 842 and the charging surface. Inaddition, the charging unit 830 can include a projection 846 positionedadjacent one or more ends of the unit 830.

FIG. 16 illustrates a charging unit 1030 according to anotherembodiment. The charging unit 1030 includes a retainers 1042, each ofwhich is positioned adjacent a respective corner of the unit 1030. Eachretainer 1042 is formed as a resilient band oriented to extend across acorner, and the retainers 1042 are capable of stretching to accommodatedevices of various sizes.

Among other things, the provision of portable charging units permits auser to charge an electronic device while moving and while charging thedevice. A user may purchase or borrow a charging unit having a chargedbattery from a docking station 10 and may use the electronic device 14during charging. Once charging is complete and/or the user is finishedusing the charging unit, the charging unit may be returned to thedocking station for re-charging for use by the same or another user.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures arepresented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitationupon the concepts and principles presented herein. As such, it will beappreciated that variations and modifications exist within the scope andspirit of one or more independent aspects as described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable device charging unit comprising: abattery; a base supporting the battery and including an inductivecharging surface; and at least one retainer for selectively securing anelectronic device in engagement against the inductive charging surface.2. The portable device charging unit of claim 1, wherein the retainerincludes an arm that is movable between an extended position and aretracted position, the arm being configured to retain the electronicdevice while in the extended position.
 3. The portable device chargingunit of claim 2, wherein the arm includes a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion being extendable and retractable relative tothe base, the second portion being extendable and retractable relativeto the first portion.
 4. The portable device charging unit of claim 2,wherein the arm is slidable relative to the base.
 5. The portable devicecharging unit of claim 1, wherein the retainer includes an armpositioned adjacent an edge of the base portion, the arm biased toengage the electronic device and retain the electronic device relativeto the inductive charging surface.
 6. The portable device charging unitof claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a resilient member that iscapable of accommodating electronic devices of various sizes and shapes.7. The portable device charging unit of claim 1, wherein the retainerincludes a receptacle formed from a resilient material, the receptacleconfigured to receive a portion of the electronic device.
 8. Theportable device charging unit of claim 1, wherein the retainer includesa band formed from a resilient material, the band extending across acorner of the charging surface.
 9. The portable device charging unit ofclaim 1, wherein the retainer includes an arm positioned adjacent anedge of the base portion and configured to engage an edge of theelectronic device, the arm biased toward a retracted position.
 10. Theportable device charging unit of claim 1, wherein the retainer includesa clamp arm.
 11. The portable device charging unit of claim 1, whereinthe retainer includes a reusable adhesive surface positioned adjacentthe inductive charging surface.
 12. A system for storing and dispensingcharging units for portable electronic devices, the system comprising:at least one portable charging unit, the charging unit including a bodyand a battery supported on the body, the charging unit configured toengage an electronic device and provide electrical current to theelectronic device; and a terminal including a receptacle for storing theat least one portable charging unit, the terminal configured to provideelectrical current to the battery.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinthe terminal is configured to inhibit removal of the charging unit untila predetermined condition has been satisfied.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the predetermined condition includes completion of afinancial transaction.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein thereceptacle includes multiple slots, each slot configured to receive oneof the charging units.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the chargingunit body includes an inductive charging surface, and at least oneretainer for selectively securing the electronic device in engagementagainst the inductive charging surface.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the retainer includes an arm that is movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position, the arm configured to engage andretain the electronic device.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein theretainer includes a receptacle formed from a resilient material, thereceptacle configured to receive a portion of the electronic device. 19.The system of claim 16, wherein the retainer includes a band formed froma resilient material, the band extending across a corner of the chargingsurface.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the retainer includes areusable adhesive surface positioned adjacent the inductive chargingsurface.